They began their mission in 2000 and now more than 10 years later efforts are still going strong.
On January 28 10 Saskatchewan women will set out on their snowmobiles on a 1,800 kilometer ride to raise money, and awareness for breast cancer research.
This will be the 11th time Prairie Women On Snowmobiles (PWOS) have sponsored the Ride for the Cure, which so far has to date raised $1.4 million for cancer research. In 2010 alone more than $200,000 was raised for the cause.
PWOS was formed when two friends, one a breast cancer survivor, asked her friend to snowmobile across Saskatchewan to raise funds for breast cancer research. Together the two planned, organized and implemented PWOS. The goal since conception is to have the Mission go across Saskatchewan each and every year to raise the funding for breast cancer research.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women.
"It's a lot of work to organize the annual trek, but it's tremendously rewarding to help 'fund' a cure," says Daphne Wickstrom, President of Prairie Women On Snowmobiles.
The Mission 2011 Tour sets off in Meadow Lake on the 28th. The route will see the team visit 32 communities - including Yorkton - over eight days before crossing the finish line in Hudson Bay on February 4.
Day 1: January 28: Meadow Lake, Moose Range Lodge, Glaslyn, Meota, North Battleford
Day 2: North Battleford, Wilkie, Biggar, Asquith, Martensville
Day 3: Martensville, Waldheim, Blaine Lake, Shellbrook, Christopher Lake
Day 4: Christopher Lake, Birch Hills, Tisdale, Star City, Naicam
Day 5: Naicam, Watson, Humboldt, Lanigan, Raymore
Day 6: Raymore, Wynyard, Wadena, Rose Valley, Kelvington
Day 7: Kelvington, Invermay, Sheho, Yorkton, Canora
Day 8: Canora, Buchanan, Preeceville and Hudson Bay.
"We hope people will support our ride by making a donation and by joining our team for a leg of the journey," Wickstrom adds.
Online donations for The Ride for the Cure may be made at: www.prairiewomen.ca
Prairie Women on Snowmobiles is a non-profit organization whose annual Missions are provincial awareness events that are designed to focus attention on breast cancer and the recreation of snowmobiling as well as raise the much-needed funds for breast cancer research. PWOS has contributed 100 per cent of the funds raised in the past ten Missions for research raising more than $1.4 million to date.
Each Mission consists of a group of 10 women volunteer snowmobilers who travel across Saskatchewan, passing through many cities and towns in eight days and covering approximately 1,800 kms. Volunteerism is the whole picture of PWOS ladies dedicating their time, resources, and sleds to help make the Missions so successful.
"You do not have to ride a snowmobile or even own one to be a member! If you want to support PWOS you are welcome to join," concludes Wickstrom.
For further information on becoming a member, rider or volunteer call 1-306-338-2860 or 1-306-338-7958.
